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Lego - The Toy Of Smart Investors

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  • Victoria Dobrynskaya

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

  • Julia Kishilova

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

Abstract

We study financial returns on alternative collectible investment assets – toys - using LEGO sets as an example. Such iconic toys with diminishing over time supply and high collectable values appear to yield high returns on the secondary market. We find that LEGO investments outperform large stocks, bonds, gold and other alternative investments, yielding the average return of at least 11% (8% in real terms) in the sample period 1987-2015. LEGO returns are not exposed to market, value, momentum and volatility risk factors, but have an almost unit exposure to the size factor. A positive multifactor alpha of 4-5%, a Sharpe ratio of 0.4, a positive return skewness and a low exposure to standard risk factors make the LEGO toy and other similar collectibles an attractive alternative investment with a good diversification potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Victoria Dobrynskaya & Julia Kishilova, 2020. "Lego - The Toy Of Smart Investors," HSE Working papers WP BRP 80/FE/2020, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hig:wpaper:80/fe/2020
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    Cited by:

    1. Savva Shanaev & Nikita Shimkus & Binam Ghimire & Satish Sharma, 2020. "Children’s toy or grown-ups’ gamble? LEGO sets as an alternative investment," Journal of Risk Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 21(5), pages 577-620, November.
    2. Eric Le Fur, 2021. "Collectors’ motives in the context of wealth management," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(5), pages 326-337, September.
    3. Plastun, Alex & Bouri, Elie & Havrylina, Ahniia & Ji, Qiang, 2022. "Calendar anomalies in passion investments: Price patterns and profit opportunities," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    4. cianni, victor, 2020. "Pricing (almost) any used goods: a first step towards a theoretical framework," MPRA Paper 105053, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    alternative investments; collectible assets; emotional assets; LEGO; portfolio diversification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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